Baseball control developer and tester



Feb. 17, 1959 M. G. ZlEL 2,873,969

BASEBALL CONTROL DEVELOPER AND TESTER Filed May 10, 1955 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 ATTORNEYS Feb. 11, 1959 Filed May 10, 1955 M. G. ZlEL 2,873,969

BASEBALL CONTROL DEVELOPER AND TESTER 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR.

ATTD RN EYS United States Patent C) 2,873,969 BASEBALL CONTROL DEVELOPER AND TESTER Max G. Ziel, Oswego, N. Y.

Application May 10, 1955, Serial No. 507,336 2 Claims. ((1273-26) This invention relates to a game, and more particularly to a target for a game.

This invention is an improvement over the target shown and described in my Patent No. 2,254,986.

The object of the invention is to provide a target which will help develop proficiency and accuracy among persons using the target, as well as providing a source of recreation and amusement to the users.

Another object of the invention is to provide a target which can be used indoors or outdoors, and wherein the target includes a sheet of canvas or other non-rigid material which is provided with a plurality of openings that are adapted to have balls thrown therethrough, the target being provided with suitable indicia such as the representation of a batter and a catcher, and wherein there is provided a back stop for arresting the movement of the balls thrown through the openings in the target.

A further object of the invention is to provide a target which is extremely simple and inexpensive to manufacture.

Other objects and advantages will be apparent during the course of the following description.

In the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this application, and in which like numerals are used to designate like parts throughout the same:

Figure 1 is a front elevational view of the target, constructed according to the present invention.

Figure 2 is a perspective view of the framework for the target.

Figure 3 is a fragmentary perspective view illustrating the means for suspending or mounting the target.

Figure 4 is a perspective view of a modified frame.

Figure 5 is a side elevational view of the frame of Figure 4.

Figure 6is a sectional view taken on the line 66 of Figure 5.

Figure 7 is a perspective view of'a further modified target.

Figure 8 is a sectional view taken on the line 8-8 of Figure 9. a

Figure 9 is a sectional view taken on the line 99 of frame for a target.

Figurell is a sectional view taken on "the line 11-11 of Figure 10.

Referring in detail to the drawings, the numeral 10 designates an open rectangular frame which includes a pair of spaced parallel vertically disposed side rails 11 which have bars 12 and 14 extending between their upper and lower ends, Figure 2. These rails 11 and bars 12 and 14 define therebetween a rectangular opening 13.

For supporting the'frame 10, a pair of spaced parallel legs 15 are hingedly connected to the lower end of the frame 10 by means of hinges 16, and a rod 17 lnterconnects the free ends of the legs 15 together. A screw eye 18 may extend upwardly from each of the legs 15, and an inclined brace 19 has its lower end arranged 1n engagement with each of the screw eyes 18. Theupper into each of the rails 11. Thus, the frame 10 can bemaintained in an upright position as shown in Figure 2.

There is further provided a target 23 which is made of a non-rigid material such as canvas or a suitable plastic, and the target 23 may be provided with hems 24 on its upper and lower ends. Spring members 25 extend through the hem-s 24, and a hook 26 is formed on each end of each of the spring members 25. These hooks 26 engage fingers or lips 27 which extend outwardly from brackets 28. The brackets 28 may be made of any suitable material such as metal, and the brackets 28 may be secured to the frame 10 in any suitable manner, as for example by means of bolts or screws 29. Each of the brackets 28 may be provided with a tongue 30 which fits in a slot 31 in the side of the rail 11 soas to help anchor the bracket 28 in place.

The target 23 may be imprinted or otherwise provided with indicia or markings thereon. Thus, as shown in Figure 1 the target 23 may include the representation of a batter 32, a catcher 33, and a pitchingzone 34. The pitching zone 34 may be provided with a plurality of holes or openings 35 through which balls. are adapted to be thrown. The target 23 may further be provided with the-representation of a home plate 36. v f

- There is further provided a back stop 37 which is adapted to extend over or cover the openings35, and the upper end of the back stop 37 may be secured as by means of sewing or a suitable line of 'stitching'38, to the top of the target 23. The back stop 37 helps to stop or arrest the movement of the balls which pass through the openings 35. The back stop 37 may be made of a suitable material such as canvas, or a yieldable plastic.

Referring to Figures 4, 5 and 6, thereis shown a modified target wherein the numeral 41 designates the frame which can be made of a suitable material such as wire rod. The frame 41 includes spaced parallel side sections or side pieces42 and spaced parallel lower and upper sections 43 and 44. There is further provided a pair of support members 54 which each include lower horizontal legs 45 and inclined braces 56. The legs 45 terminate in upstanding portions 46, and the braces 56 terminate in upstanding portions 47, and these portions 46 and 47 may be detachably arranged in engagement with curved brackets or clamps 48 which may be secured as by welding to the side sections 42. A target 49 may have suitable indicia or representations thereon, and the top of the target 49 may be provided with a hem 50 through which extends a spring member 51, and the ends of the spring member 51 may be arranged in engagement with lugs 52 which extend from the tops of the side sections 42. A back stop 53 may be provided for limiting movement of balls which pass through openingsin the target 49.

Referring to Figures 7, 8 and 9 of the drawings there is shown a still further modification wherein the numeral 57 designates a base which can be made of any suitable material, and the lower surface of the base 57 maybe inclined as at 58. The base 57 is also providedwith an elongated slot 59 that snugly receives therein the lower end of a wall member 60. The wall member 60 may be provided with a plurality of openings 61 through which balls are adapted to be thrown, and a back stop 62 may be provided for limiting movement of the balls through the openings 61. The back stop 62 can be secured in place to the rear surfaceof the wall member 60 by suit able securing elements 63.. A curved support member 64 may extend rearwardly from the base 57 for help ing to steady or maintain the device in its proper upright position.

Referring to Figures and 11 of the drawings, there is shown a further modification wherein the numeral 65 designates a frame for a target which can be made of a suitable material such as metal. The frame 65 may include spaced parallel side sections 66 which have their upper ends shaped to provide a top piece 67. There is further provided a support member 68 which includes spaced parallel legs 69 that are interconnected together by means of a brace portion 70. The lower ends of the side sections 66 may be provided with sockets or openings 71, and tongues or pins 72 of reduced diameter extend upwardly from transverse portions 73, and the tongues 72 are snugly seated in the sockets 71. Thus, by disengaging the tongues 72 from the sockets 71, the parts can be disassembled so as to occupy a minimum amount of space for storage or shipment. Pins 74 may extend outwardly from the frame whereby a target can be readily suspended therefrom.

From the foregoing it is apparent that there has been provided a game or target for a game which is an improvement over the target shown and described in my prior patent. In use the target can be used indoors or outdoors, and in use a child or adult throws balls such as baseballs at the target zone 34 and attempts to throw the balls through the openings 35 in the target 23. The target 23 has markings thereon so as to increase the interest in the game as for example there is provided the representation of the batter 32, the target zone, the catcher 33, and the home plate 36. Those balls which pass through the openings 35 will strike the back stop 37 so that the balls will not damage articles of furniture or the like in the house and whereby the balls can be easily retrieved and used over and over again. The spring members 25 maintain the target 23 under the proper tension and the brackets 28 can be readily detached or secured in place as desired. When the game is being used, the parts are in the position shown in Figures 1 and 2 so that the legs are in a horizontal position and the braces 19 are in the inclined position and extend between the rails 11 and legs 15 in order to maintain the parts in their proper assembled relation. However, when the game is not being used, the braces 19 can be disengaged and the entire assembly can be folded so that it will occupy a minimum amount of space for storage and shipment. By swinging the back stop 37 over to the opposite side from that shown in the drawings, the target can be used from the opposite side, as for example by left handed players.

In Figures 9, 10 and 11, the frame 41 can be maintained in its upright position by means of the pair of triangular shaped support members which include the legs 45 and braces 46. When the parts are to be folded, the fingers 46 and 47 can be removed from the brackets 48 so as to permit the support members to be detached from the frame.

In Figures 7, 8 and 9, the back stop 62 may be secured to the rear of the wall 60 so that the balls do not pass all the way through the openings 61 but instead may rebound. In Figures 10 and 11 there is shown a further modification wherein by removing the pins 72 from the sockets 71, the upper end lower portions of the target can be disassembled when the parts are to be stored or shipped.

It is to be understood that any suitable set of rules can be adopted with the target of the present invention and any desired system of scoring can be utilized.

In the present invention there is provided an open rectangular frame such as the frame 10 and the target extends over the opening defined by the pieces of the frame. The support member 64 helps to maintain the target of Figures 7, 8 and 9 in its proper upright position. The parts for making the frame and support members can be made of any suitable material and in any desired shape and size.

Any number of players can play the game of baseball pitching and a suitable scoring system can be used which will give points when the balls strike within or without the strike zone 34. The target and back stop can be made of canvas. Since the back stop is only sewed at its top to the target, the back stop can be easily swung from side to side to permit use of the target by right or left handed persons. The target may have brightly colored representations thereon of ball players or the like so as to enhance the attractiveness and increase the interest in the game. Score sheets and rules can be provided with each target. The inturned ends 21 of the braces 19 fit in the holes 21) of the frame. The canvas can be readily removed and replaced whenever desired. If desired the target can be made of other materials as for example a cardboard box can be provided with suitable indicia and cutouts therein to define a target. The back drop serves to stop the balls which have been pitched through the holes such as the holes 35. If desired numbers or letters may be placed on the back stop and such numbers or letters may show behind the holes 35 whereby these numbers or letters can be used in scoring.

I claim:

1. A device of the character described comprising a rectangular frame embodying a pair of spaced parallel side pieces, spaced parallel top and bottom pieces extending between said side pieces and arranged at right angles with respect thereto, a base including a pair of similar support members, said support members defining horizontally disposed spaced parallel legs secured to the lower ends of said side pieces, an inclined brace extending upwardly from the rear end of each of said legs and secured to the corresponding side piece, lugs extending from said side pieces, a target having a hem thereon, a spring member extending through said hem and engaging said lugs, and a back stop arranged adjacent the outer surface of said target.

2. As a new article of manufacture, a device as decribed embodying a frame fabricated of Wire-like material and shaped to include a pair of spaced parallel side pieces, said side pieces being inclined slightly from the vertical, spaced parallel top and bottom piece-s extending between said side pieces and arranged at right angles with respect thereto, said top and bottom pieces being horizontally disposed, a base including a pair of similar support members, said support members defining horizontally disposed spaced parallel legs which terminate in upstanding portions, clamps connected to the lower ends of said side pieces and detachably receiving said upstanding portions, an inclined brace extending upwardly from the rear end of each of said legs and each brace terminating in an upstanding portion, clamps secured to the corresponding side piece for detachably receiving said last named upstanding portions, lugs extending from said side pieces and arranged adjacent the ends thereof, a target having a hem thereon and said target being provided with openings, a spring member extending through said hem and engaging said lugs, and a back stop arranged adjacent the outer surface of said target for limiting movement of balls which pass through the openings in the target.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 225,734 Tangeman Mar. 23, 1880 703,214 Phillips June 24, 1902 1,297,088 Butler Mar. 11, 1919 2,170,850 Bennett et al Aug. 29, 1939 2,201,865 Kriekard May 21, 1940 2,722,420 Adamson Nov. 1, 1955 

